Gus on Boro challenge

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

Gus Poyet suspects that recent results do not paint an accurate picture of Middlesbrough's capabilities.

Just two Premiership wins so far this season, Boro travel to the Lane on Sunday on the back of successive defeats. However, most reports on the reverses to Chelsea and Newcastle suggest that fortune in front of goal has simply not been favouring Steve McClaren's side.

A point that Gus is in agreement with in his assessment of the Teesiders.

"I've seen them playing quite well and I think they've been quite unlucky in front of goal," considered Gus. "They have been passing the ball and creating pressure, but have suffered from some strange decisions.

"I think they are a very interesting team and we have to be really careful. Especially because, even though we feel really happy after recent results, we know that we have to perform better and get more chances to win the game.

"He is someone who, and I say this with no doubt, is an absolute top-class player. When he started out at Valencia in the midfield position he was everything, especially going forward - everything passed through him. He was doing everything for the team.

"Then he went to Lazio and Barcelona, I think he had a bad spell and it was difficult for him to get back to his best. I haven't seen him play a full game for Boro, but I have seen him do a few actions - technical ones and he looked good.

"I am happy for him, but I hope he doesn't do too much on Sunday," added Gus, who was quick in the affirmative when asked if Mendieta was the best player in Spain while at Valencia.